[23.04] Signatures of Planets on Extra-solar Circumstellar Dust Disk

J.-C. Liou (GB Tech/Lockheed Martin), H. A. Zook (NASA/JSC)

One method to detect other planetary systems is to deduce
the perturbations of planets on the observed circumstellar
dust cloud. To relate irregularities in the observed dust
distribution to possible planets, with their masses and
locations, one must understand the interaction of the dust
particles with the planets. Our Solar System, with its known
configuration of planets, provides an excellent example to
study how the distribution of dust particles is affected by
the existence of different planets. We have studied the
orbital evolution of Kuiper Belt dust particles and have
calculated their distribution in the Solar System. The four
giant planets, especially Jupiter and Neptune, impose
distinct and dramatic signatures on the overall distribution
of dust particles. Our procedures, when combined with
extra-solar circumstellar dust observations, can be used to
identify the existence of planets and to classify their
masses and orbital characteristics.